Lankinen with another strong game in goal. 2-1 Finns with about 5 minutes left.

Lankinen with another strong game in goal. 2-1 Finns with about 5 minutes left.
- boilermaker100

And under tremendous pressure.

This is too strong of a center draft to not pick a center. I like the reports of the dman or a winger or two, but I'd prefer a center. I'll leave the tough decision to Kelley & co.
- I Am The Breadman

We already have Toews, Strome, Anisimov, and Kampf

We score a lot of goals, our offense is pretty damn good. Very solid forward depth.

Our defense is horrendous and we gave up an insane amount of goals last season. We lack a true #1D.

With all of this in mind it really confuses me how anyone could possibly want us to use the #3 overall pick on another forward with a talent like Byram available to add to the blue line ...

We already have Toews, Strome, Anisimov, and Kampf

We score a lot of goals, our offense is pretty damn good. Very solid forward depth.

Our defense is horrendous and we gave up an insane amount of goals last season. We lack a true #1D.

With all of this in mind it really confuses me how anyone could possibly want us to use the #3 overall pick on another forward with a talent like Byram available to add to the blue line ...
- SimpleJack

I’m ok with them drafting Byram - but there is blue line potential in the system - potential top pairing skaters.

I don’t think they have any top-6 players - maybe a couple of middle-6 - not on the big team. There seem to be a couple in that tier they are looking at at #3.

And - of course - their defensive deficiencies can’t all be blamed on the defensemen - they have way too many forwards who don’t play 200 feet, who can’t get in the right position to help clear the zone, who can’t be effective on the PK. Hopefully, some in that tier can be that.

We already have Toews, Strome, Anisimov, and Kampf

We score a lot of goals, our offense is pretty damn good. Very solid forward depth.

Our defense is horrendous and we gave up an insane amount of goals last season. We lack a true #1D.

With all of this in mind it really confuses me how anyone could possibly want us to use the #3 overall pick on another forward with a talent like Byram available to add to the blue line ...
- SimpleJack

I totally respect your p.o.v., but I have to disagree. The good years as a number 1 center for Toews won't last forever. Strome is unproven, I lIke him, but he needs to prove his success wasn't a fluke. Anisimov might be traded, I like him, but idk about his future. Kampf, what production? He's a great fourth liner, but production ... our top 6 is definitely coming along, I won't argue that. Depth is still in question, we were top heavy. I don't think Rockford has a top 6 forward at the moment.

As far as defence, you seem positive about the dmen we drafted that have little to no nhl experience. You've ruled out Joki, Boq, Beaudin etc. they can't be number one dmen, but Byram can? All, some, or none can make it or reach their ceilings. I think we have a lot of question marks on d and haven't seen or given them a chance. I like Byram, don't get me wrong, I will be happy if Kelley & co. select him, I'm saying my preference is for a center. There are too many potentially great centers to spend on d when that cubbard is stocked. If they pan out is the question, but we can only hope as fans.

Lankinen with another strong game in goal. 2-1 Finns with about 5 minutes left.
- boilermaker100

Have to think Delia is looking behind his shoulder a bit lately. Lankinen could really challenge for the backup role on the Hawks.

Lankinen with another strong game in goal. 2-1 Finns with about 5 minutes left.
- boilermaker100

Ya he was great ,what was it he stopped 76 /77 shots the last two games . Gold medal .That Anttila was a force for Fins ,should see if he wants to come over for a look with his buddy Lankinen . Anttila looks a little slow and awkward ,but he hits hard and strong on the puck .

Have to think Delia is looking behind his shoulder a bit lately. Lankinen could really challenge for the backup role on the Hawks.
- AEL_Fox

Would it be better to have Lankinen play 25 games in the NHL backing up Crow or would it be better for him to the the "Man" in Rockford with Delia backing up Crow. Personally I am not a fan of Delia. I think Crow/Lankinen would be a very good combo. If they add some sand paper (Tanev) to the 4th line. That helps team D. If the team improves at all with a full training camp under Colliton the team D can be greatly improved.

Healthy Crow
Improved back up in Lankinen
Solid 4th line of Caggilua, Kampf, Tanev (or similar player)
Having 67 games and a full training camp learning Colliton's system

A few more personnel changes still need to be made (go Stan).

Ya he was great ,what was it he stopped 76 /77 shots the last two games . Gold medal .That Anttila was a force for Fins ,should see if he wants to come over for a look with his buddy Lankinen . Anttila looks a little slow and awkward ,but he hits hard and strong on the puck .
- oldduffman

Anttila - Former Hawk draft pick 9th round 2004.

We already have Toews, Strome, Anisimov, and Kampf

We score a lot of goals, our offense is pretty damn good. Very solid forward depth.

Our defense is horrendous and we gave up an insane amount of goals last season. We lack a true #1D.

With all of this in mind it really confuses me how anyone could possibly want us to use the #3 overall pick on another forward with a talent like Byram available to add to the blue line ...
- SimpleJack

How many goals did the bottom 6 six score combined last year yea need more scoring depth. Whether kelly and co. Take the defense man or center hawks are getting a really good player for years to come hopefully. Kampf depth forward he nothing special take or leave him IMO. Cozens is stilk my choice.

I totally respect your p.o.v., but I have to disagree. The good years as a number 1 center for Toews won't last forever. Strome is unproven, I lIke him, but he needs to prove his success wasn't a fluke. Anisimov might be traded, I like him, but idk about his future. Kampf, what production? He's a great fourth liner, but production ... our top 6 is definitely coming along, I won't argue that. Depth is still in question, we were top heavy. I don't think Rockford has a top 6 forward at the moment.

As far as defence, you seem positive about the dmen we drafted that have little to no nhl experience. You've ruled out Joki, Boq, Beaudin etc. they can't be number one dmen, but Byram can? All, some, or none can make it or reach their ceilings. I think we have a lot of question marks on d and haven't seen or given them a chance. I like Byram, don't get me wrong, I will be happy if Kelley & co. select him, I'm saying my preference is for a center. There are too many potentially great centers to spend on d when that cubbard is stocked. If they pan out is the question, but we can only hope as fans.
- I Am The Breadman

Think you're right on the mark with all of this. Won't be the end of the world if Hawks choose Byram but I agree I hope the best available is a center because I think top line forwards is our big get need for the future.

All of a sudden the Hawks have some legit goalie prospects. Lankinen was the goalie for the WC Gold Medal winning Finns and Gravel is the Halifax goalie playing in the CHL championship game just under way. Looking good.

Watching Mooseheads game in Hfx

Hawks prospects in this game are ??

Watching Mooseheads game in Hfx

Hawks prospects in this game are ??
- Colbyboy

#Blackhawks prospects Alexis Gravel and Jake Ryczek playing in the #MemorialCup Final tonight for the Halifax Mooseheads against the Route-Noranda Huskies.

Great stuff. He looks like he has some potential. And, the Finnish goalie...also a Hawk, right??? He has been solid. Rockford or possible Hawks backup next year??
- hawk35

Rockford bound full-time for sure.

If he has a great camp who knows.

I still think the Hawks grab a veteran goalie considering Crawford's health issues.

Hard to believe there was a worse pick than #11 Sam Morin. He still only has 8 NHL games in his career. He played in 5 of them this season but the Flyers literally would not let him touch the ice until they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

If the Hawks make a trade to move back I hope they take a good look at Raphael Lavoie.

I have read many that feel he is ready to make an NHL team now. Button and Pronman both have said he is most NHL ready D prospect.
- KMFDMLight

That just means he is the kid closest in strength offensive zone savvy to play sooner than the rest.

It is a good class of defenders but I see no true #1 defender there, period.

And there are a nice group that given time, will get their games ready to play NHL defense, especially some of those big boys needing time.
are they top pair guys?
I might argue Broberg is eventually because of his fit and style of play at both ends.

Just cause someone keeps telling you in a draft class that isn't FILLED in the top ten with defenders that you take the best one over best player because you get the number one defenseman of THIS draft...well...when you pick three you better get the BEST PLAYER from the class and expect a decade positive results on the entire sheet.

Two different individuals. What similarities? Barker was very weak skater.
- MjulQvist

I REALLY do not think the sakting was the knock on Barker.
Very similar to Byram in that he was allowed free rein and wasn't held back to play his position with discipline.
He was a junior player from the Western league who was undbridled as an offenseman, and was bigger and taller than Bryam post selection.

I remember that first hawk propsects camo they paired him with Seabrook so someone had his back...

I'd rather have Anisimov at $4.5M than Hayes at more than $4.5M.
- EbonyRaptor

aND Hayes has always been a better left wing than centre...

Byram, like almost every prospect, has the potential to bust, but if he does it won't be because he was similar to Barker.
- EbonyRaptor

I know you like Byram more than I do but I LIKE YOU, because this is so on point and honest!

If the Hawks make a trade to move back I hope they take a good look at Raphael Lavoie.
- Sn1362

why move out of three to get a bigger long term project who hasn't played the entire season of junior with pace to his game?

Watching Mooseheads game in Hfx

Hawks prospects in this game are ??
- Colbyboy

Halifax goalie Alexis Gravel and right handed defender Jake Ryczek #16...

We already have Toews, Strome, Anisimov, and Kampf

We score a lot of goals, our offense is pretty damn good. Very solid forward depth.

Our defense is horrendous and we gave up an insane amount of goals last season. We lack a true #1D.

With all of this in mind it really confuses me how anyone could possibly want us to use the #3 overall pick on another forward with a talent like Byram available to add to the blue line ...
- SimpleJack

When you tune in tomorrow night take a close look at the players both the Bruins and Blues have down the middle of the ice. AA and Kampf would be healthy scratches for both teams. And the Hawks 3rd and 4th lines would be blown off the ice against either of these teams.

That's why one or even 2 of the kids like Kurashev, Entwistle, Kotalik, Highmore or Soderlund have a good shot at starting next season in Chicago or being recalled quickly in November. Because the bottom end of the current forward group needs an enema in order to get better so the team can just compete in the Central Division. Otherwise teams like Colorado, Winnipeg and the Blues will run over them in games that matter.

But I'm trusting Kelley to identify the best player available to him and go with it. And if that is a defenceman, thats who they will pick.

Halifax goalie Alexis Gravel and right handed defender Jake Ryczek
- wiz1901

Halifax down 4-2 in the third.